Slotted picture hanger

ABSTRACT

A slotted picture hanger for displaying artwork has an upper containment lip and a lower containment lip joined by a shoulder to form a picture mounting slot. At the base of the shoulder and the lower containment lip are one or more pins. The edge of the artwork, which can include glazing, matte boards, pictures, backing, or other materials is placed into the picture mounting slot and secured via a pressure grip, or picture mounting fasteners. Once secured, the artwork can be displayed by pressing the pin(s) into any suitable display surface. The slotted picture hanger can be used singularly, or in various combinations to hang different weights, sizes, and shapes of artwork.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The disclosures made herein relate generally to picture exhibiting and more particularly to picture frames and hangers.

2. Description of Prior Art

Traditionally, artwork is mounted on a backboard, matted, and then covered with a glazing such as glass. This combination of glazing, matting, art, and backing is then framed with picture molding and hung by attaching a wire to the back of the frame and looping it over a nail pounded into a wall. When using this method of framing, the amount of molding needed to frame the picture increases with the size of the picture. Furthermore, it requires special tools and abilities to mitre and join the corners. This makes traditional picture framing expensive and difficult to fabricate.

An alternative to traditional picture framing is metal channel framing as shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,367,803 and 4,547,986. Both eliminate the need of tools and special skills as the metal channel molding can be purchased in mitred, pre-cut lengths with do-it-yourself fasteners. But like traditional picture framing, the larger the artwork, the more expensive it is to frame.

To solve this problem, a variation of metal channel molding is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,204,350. Here, short strips of molding are fastened to the edges of the artwork intermittently instead of continuous border framing. This reduces the cost of framing, however it still requires a separate hanger and like other metal channel frame moldings is restricted to framing linear artwork.

Similar to intermittent metal channel framing, U.S. Pat. No. 5,365,682 shows clips placed around the corner edges of the artwork and held in place with a binding cord kept in tension with a spring. This system resolves the one size fits all dilemma, but is complicated and still requires a separate hanger that must be attached to the back of the artwork.

Another alternative method to traditional picture framing employs stamped metal clips as shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,509,278 and 3,541,714. These clip frames are generally aimed at the light-weight, instant frame market where they are sold in pre-packaged sizes with the glazing and the backing included as the clips require special grooves in the backing to anchor them. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 4,187,630 uses extruded plastic to clip art materials together, but it too requires a special backing and a separate hanger.

Generally, artwork hung with a wire and a nail as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,100,094 is problematic. First of all, the wire tends to stretch when the weight of the picture is applied to it making it difficult to correctly position the artwork. Secondly, it is difficult to loop the wire over a nail that is hidden from sight by the picture itself during the process of hanging it. And thirdly, the artwork is invariably affected by building vibrations, or accidental bumps that causes it to tilt.

In view of these deficiencies, there is a need for a picture hanger that is inexpensive, fits all sizes and shapes of artwork, is easy to install, easy to hang, and is not affected by vibrations, or casual bumps. As will become apparent from the following, the present invention satisfies these needs.

SUMMARY

Traditional picture framing using molding is generally expensive because the amount of molding needed depends on the size of the picture. Also, it usually requires professional services to fabricate it. Other picture framing solutions are primarily aimed at the pre-packaged, ready-made frame market and are sold in limited sizes. To solve these problems, in one aspect, the embodiment of the present invention combines the containment element of a frame and the support element of a hanger in one device to hold and display artwork independent of size, weight and shape.

In one preferred embodiment of the slotted picture hanger, an upper containment lip and a lower containment lip are joined by a shoulder to form a picture mounting slot that grips the artwork. At the base formed by the shoulder and the lower containment lip are one or more pins. The edge of the artwork is inserted into the picture mounting slot and once secured, the artwork can be displayed by pressing the pin(s) into any suitable display surface. In another preferred embodiment, one or more adjustable picture mounting fasteners can be placed in the lower containment lip, so they can be tightened to anchor the artwork, yet remain out of view when the artwork is displayed. Alternatively, in another embodiment, one or more adjustable picture mounting fasteners can be placed in the upper containment lip so the artwork can be secured, yet easily removed or changed without pulling the slotted picture hanger(s) out from the display surface.

By combining the framing element and the hanger element in one device, the cost of picture framing and hanging is reduced and the process is simplified. The hangers are easy to install and can be used singularly or in combinations to display artwork of various weights, sizes, and shapes. Furthermore, once installed, the artwork is anchored firmly and is not affected by building vibrations, or accidental bumps that can cause pictures to tilt. This is ideal when a large number of pictures are on display that need to stay in line.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING

The following detailed descriptions accompanied with drawings give a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the invention with a bottom picture mounting fastener.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of another preferred embodiment of the invention with an extended shoulder and a bottom picture mounting fastener.

FIG. 3 is a cross section view taken along the line 13-13 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is an enlargement of FIG. 3 with mounted artwork.

FIG. 6 is a front view of a rectangular artwork with four slotted picture hangers attached.

FIG. 7 is a front view of an oval artwork with three slotted picture hangers attached.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the invention with a top picture mounting fastener.

FIG. 9 is a cross section view taken along the line 17-17 of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the invention elongated laterally with plural picture mounting fasteners and pins.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the invention with a pressure clip lip.

FIG. 12 is a cross section view taken along the line 19-19 of FIG. 11.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The slotted picture hanger is a device for displaying artwork. A preferred embodiment of the slotted picture hanger is comprised of at least some of the following: an upper containment lip; a lower containment lip; a shoulder joining the upper containment lip and the lower containment lip; a picture mounting slot formed by the upper containment lip, the lower containment lip, and the shoulder; one or more picture mounting fasteners; and one or more pins.

In order to use the slotted picture hanger, the elements of the artwork are first assembled. The term artwork as related to the present invention is used in the broadest sense and includes, but is not limited to, photographs, prints, paintings, art collages, posters, newspaper clippings, display signs, notices, bulletin boards, or other graphic materials mounted with or without glazing, matting, backing, or in combination with other media. The artwork is placed in the picture mounting slot of the slotted picture hanger and once it is secured, the artwork is displayed by pressing the pin(s) protruding from the base of the slotted picture hanger into the display surface. The number of slotted picture hangers used can depend on, amongst other considerations, the size, the weight, and the shape, as well as for aesthetic reasons.

Referring to FIG. 1, a preferred embodiment of a slotted picture hanger with an approximately rectangular pin head 25. The upper containment lip 18 and the lower containment lip 22 are joined by the shoulder 14 to form a picture mounting slot 20. The artwork is placed into the picture mounting slot and secured with the lower picture mounting fastener 12. The base formed by the shoulder 14 and the lower containment lip 22 houses the recessed shaft of the pin 16.

Referring to FIG. 2, a preferred embodiment of a slotted picture hanger as in FIG. 1, but with the shoulder 15 extending beyond the plane of the base of the lower containment lip 22 which, amongst other considerations, further offsets the artwork from the installation surface. The pin 16 protrudes from the base of the shoulder 15.

FIG. 3 is a cross section view taken along the line 13-13 of FIG. 2 and shows in greater detail the placement of the pin 16 into the shoulder 15 of the pin head 27. The upper containment lip 18 and the lower containment lip 22 along with the shoulder 15 define the picture mounting slot 20. Once the edge of the artwork has been inserted in the picture mounting slot 20, the adjustable picture mounting fastener 12 is tightened.

The bottom view of pin head 27 is shown in FIG. 4. It reveals the placement of the adjustable picture mounting fastener 12 and the pin 16. The adjustable picture mounting fastener 12 is positioned substantially in the centre of the base of the lower containment lip 22 and the pin 16 is substantially in the centre of the base of the extended shoulder 15.

FIG. 5 shows an enlargement of FIG. 3 to better illustrate the placement of the artwork 35 into the picture mounting slot 20. The artwork 35 can consist of glazing, matte boards, pictures, backing, or other materials. Once positioned correctly between the upper containment lip 18 and the lower containment lip 22, the artwork 35 is secured in the picture mounting slot 20 by tightening the adjustable picture mounting fastener 12. Placing the adjustable picture mounting fastener 22 in the lower containment lip, amongst other considerations, eliminates the possibility of accidentally marking the front of the artwork 25 when the adjustable picture mounting fastener 22 is tightened.

Slotted picture hangers can be used singularly, or in various combinations to display artwork. FIG. 6 shows slotted picture hangers 27 attached to rectangular artwork 21. Depending on the weight and size of the artwork, one or more slotted picture hangers can be positioned as desired. Similarly, FIG. 7 shows how an oval picture 23 can be displayed using three slotted picture hangers 27. Unlike conventional picture hanging in which the artwork is only supported from the sides or the top, it is possible to also place slotted picture hangers at the bottom of the artwork for added load bearing support. Secondly, artwork displayed with slotted picture hangers doesn't tilt forward as is often the case with artwork hung traditionally with a wire and a nail. Also of significance is that any shape of artwork can be displayed by using various combinations and arrangements of slotted picture hangers.

Another preferred embodiment of the slotted picture hanger is seen in FIG. 8 where an adjustable picture mounting fastener 24 is placed in the upper containment lip 18, instead of the lower containment lip 22. Placing an adjustable picture mounting fastener 24 in the upper containment lip 18 allows for, amongst other considerations, the loosening or tightening of the adjustable picture mounting fastener 24, so that artwork can be easily removed or replaced from the picture mounting slot 20 without pulling the slotted picture hanger 29 out from the display surface.

A more detailed view of the top adjustable picture mounting fastener is depicted in FIG. 9 which is a cross section view of the pin head 29 taken along the line 17-17 of FIG. 8. The adjustable picture mounting fastener 24 is positioned substantially in the centre of the upper containment lip 18 and can be a thumbscrew, or any other metal or plastic fastener that is adjustable by hand, or with a tool. The pin 16 protrudes from the base of the extended shoulder 15.

Another preferred embodiment of the slotted picture hanger is illustrated in FIG. 10 with plural adjustable picture mounting fasteners 24 and pin heads 16. The pin head 31 has been elongated laterally extending the upper containment lip 28, the lower containment lip 30 and the shoulder 32. The adjustable picture mounting fasteners 24 are positioned in the upper containment lip 28, but in another preferred embodiment, they can be located in the lower containment lip 30. Slotted picture hangers with plural picture mounting fasteners and pin hangers add, amongst other considerations, additional support for displaying heavier artwork.

Yet, another preferred embodiment of the slotted picture hanger is shown in a perspective view in FIG. 11 and in greater detail in FIG. 12 the cross section view taken along the line 19-19 of FIG. 11. Instead of rigid metal or plastic, the pin head 31 is made of flexible material that allows the lower containment lip 26 to expand when artwork is inserted into the picture mounting slot, yet elastic enough to grip the artwork against the upper containment lip 18 and hold it in place. Various designs and shapes of this preferred embodiment are possible by altering the shape of the upper containment lip, the lower containment lip, or both containment lips. Alternatively, mechanical attachments can be added to either one of the containment lips, or both containment lips, to perform the same function. These can include, but are not limited to, metal spring levers, rubber grips, coil springs, or other mechanical devices.

It should be obvious that the pin head of the slotted picture hanger can be made of various plastics, metals, metal alloys, ceramics, glasses, or other materials, or combinations thereof. It can also be of any colour, or shape including sculpted forms while still maintaining the necessary functional elements. Furthermore, it can be elongated laterally to any desired length, as can be the offset of the shoulder from the base of the lower containment lip. Similarly, the length and size of the upper and lower containment lips are variable, as is the size of the picture mounting slot they form in conjunction with the shoulder.

The pin head itself can be produced by a number of manufacturing processes including, but not limited to, extrusion, die casting, hand-crafting, laser cutting, injection moulding, or milling.

The picture mounting fasteners can be fixed or adjustable and can include, but are not limited to, metal or plastic machine screws, thumb screws, grub screws, wood screws, rivets, nails, and pins. Other methods of sinking, or bonding picture mounting fasteners to the containment lips are also possible, as are various arrangements of plural picture mounting fasteners and pins. Plural picture mounting fasteners can be fixed or adjustable and can be placed in the upper containment lip, the lower containment lip, or in any combination in both the upper and the lower containment lips.

The pin(s) protruding outward from the base of the pin heads can be a variety of lengths and thicknesses depending on, amongst other considerations, the size of the slotted picture hanger and the weight of the artwork. Also, they can be round, flat, square, or any other desired shape made from metal, or other suitably rigid materials.

As changes can be made to the foregoing disclosures without departing from the broad concepts of the invention, it should be understood that the embodiments of this invention as described herein are not intended to limit it, but to include all changes and modifications that are within the spirit and scope of the invention as disclosed. 

1. A picture hanging device comprising: (a) an upper containment lip; (b) a lower containment lip; (c) a shoulder joining the said upper containment lip and the said lower containment lip; (d) a mounting slot formed by the said upper containment lip, the said lower containment lip and the said shoulder; and (e) one or more pins protruding outward from the base formed by the said shoulder and the said lower containment lip.
 2. A picture hanging device as in claim 1 where the said upper containment lip and the said lower containment lip grip artwork that is inserted between them.
 3. A picture hanging device as in claim 1 further comprising one or more fasteners in the upper containment lip.
 4. A picture hanging device as in claim 3 in which the said one or more fasteners in the said upper containment lip are adjustable.
 5. A picture hanging device as in claim 1 further comprising one or more fasteners in the said lower containment lip.
 6. A picture hanging device as in claim 5 in which the said one or more fasteners in the said lower containment lip are adjustable.
 7. A picture hanging device as in claim 1 further comprising one or more fasteners in both the said upper containment lip and the said lower containment lip.
 8. A picture hanging device as in claim 7 where the said one or more fasteners in the said upper containment lip and the said lower containment lip are adjustable.
 9. A picture hanging device as in claim 7 where the said one or more fasteners in the said upper containment lip and the said lower containment lip are in combination of fixed and adjustable.
 10. A picture hanging device comprising: (a) an upper containment lip; (b) a lower containment lip; (c) a shoulder joining the said upper containment lip and the said lower containment lip and extending beyond the plane of the base of the said lower containment lip; (d) a mounting slot formed by the said upper containment lip, the said lower containment lip and the said shoulder; and (d) one or more pins protruding outward from the base of the said shoulder.
 11. A picture hanging device as in claim 10 where the said upper containment lip and the said lower containment lip grip artwork that is inserted between them.
 12. A picture hanging device as in claim 10 further comprising one or more fasteners in the said upper containment lip.
 13. A picture hanging device as in claim 12 in which the said one or more fasteners in the said upper containment lip are adjustable.
 14. A picture hanging device as in claim 10 further comprising one or more fasteners in the said lower containment lip.
 15. A picture hanging device as in claim 14 in which the said one or more fasteners in the said lower containment lip are adjustable.
 16. A picture hanging device as in claim 10 further comprising one or more fasteners in both the said upper containment lip and the said lower containment lip.
 17. A picture hanging device as in claim 16 where the said one or more fasteners in the said upper containment lip and the said lower containment lip are adjustable.
 18. A picture hanging device as in claim 16 where the said one or more fasteners in the said upper containment lip and the said lower containment lip are in combination of fixed and adjustable. 